This is not so satisfactory as I hoped, but I am disposed to risk a great deal to carry the measure without the necessity of creating Peers. This is, however, a matter requiring the most serious deliberation, and I cannot come to an ultimate decision without the concurrence of my colleagues, some of whom, and especially the Chancellor, are impressed with the danger of going to the second reading, without something as near certainty as is possible in a case of this nature, and of exposing ourselves to the power of a majority in the Committee. The cholera report of to-day is enclosed. I am in constant fear of its assuming a character of great violence. If it should do so, the alarm, which is already very great, would be excessive; and I do not think it would be increased by the King's going to Windsor. (Enclosure.) Minute of Conversation with Lords Harrowby and Lords Harrowby and Wharncliffe cannot give any positive assurance, which they conceive impossible, of a majority on the second reading; but, from their communications with various Peers, they have a confident expectation and belief that there would be a sufficient number to secure the Bill's passing that stage. If this should be effected, they feel themselves bound to look to certain alterations in the Committee as essential to render the operation of the Bill safe; and if it should pass the Committee without such alterations, they would be under the necessity of opposing it on the third reading. Lord Grey on his part stated, that though there were parts of the Bill which might be susceptible of alteration, without his considering such alteration as fatal to it, there were others which he deemed absolutely vital, and in which such changes might be made as would be as destructive of the measure as its rejection on the second reading. If this should take place, he must in that case be considered as reserving to himself the power of resorting to such means as might be most ef fectual for preventing such a result. Lords Harrow by and Wharncliffe are not unwilling to make a declaration of their intention to support the second reading at a proper time-which is a matter for considerationwith the hope that it will be received with a conciliatory spirit. They further state that they will feel themselves bound, if they should see ground for altering their present opinion as to the support they are likely to receive, to give notice of it to Lord Grey. No. 361. Earl Grey to Sir H. Taylor. (Private.) Downing Street, Feb. 17, 1832. My dear Sir Herbert,-In the hurried letter which I wrote to you yesterday, I am afraid that I expressed too imperfectly the sentiments, with which the communication you had made to me by order of the King had inspired me. I have read your letter over and over again and always with increasing gratitude. That which I have received this morning is not less satisfactory, nor less entitled to my best thanks. I confess I have been disappointed at not finding Lords Harrowby and Wharncliffe enabled to state anything more specific as to the persons whom they consider as pledged to the second reading; they expressly stated that they could give no such pledge, and even admitted that many of those on whom they now count might change their opinions. I do not think any one of those to whom I have as yet communicated what has passed, thinks that this is a sufficient security. We shall have a Cabinet on it on Sunday, and in the interval I shall endeavour to get more light. As yet I see my way only as through a glass darkly;' but I am not less anxious to avoid, if possible, the last extremity; and, as I said yesterday, I am disposed to risk a good deal to avert it, though the rejection of the Bill on the second reading would be to me such ruin as never fell upon a public man; which, however, is little compared with its consequences to the country. I enclose the cholera bulletins for this morning, by which it does not appear that the disease is making much progress here. I am very glad that the King has given up the Great Lodge for the married men of the Guards, &c. I understand it is proposed to allow them an addition of 6d. per diem. I have had sent to me a copy of a most impudent address to the King from the Corporation of Dublin, which they claim a right to present to the King on the throne, and for which they deserve and must receive a rebuke. I am, &c. GREY. No. 362. Sir H. Taylor to Earl Grey. (Private.) Brighton, Feb. 17, 1832. My dear Lord, I did not delay submitting your Lordship's letter of yesterday and the enclosure to the King, who was anxious, as you would readily imagine, to learn the result of your interview with Lords Harrowby and Wharncliffe. His Majesty is concerned to find that it has produced nothing definite or distinct; but he cannot but build some hope on the amicable character of this meeting; and he is quite satisfied that nothing was wanting on your part to conciliate and to carry into effect the object which he and you have so much at heart. His Majesty had, indeed, hoped that those two Lords and their friends were better prepared for communications to which they evidently attached great importance. With respect to ulterior proceedings, and the extent of the risk which should be run, the King refers your Lordship to what I was ordered to say in my letters of the 15th and yesterday, which he has upon this occasion again perused; and, considering what passed at this interview, His Majesty particularly rejoices that he authorised you to communicate that part of his letter of the 15th to Lord Harrowby, as it could not fail to show them the necessity of coming to an early decision upon the line they should take; and also that His Majesty is acting fairly and above-board with all parties. His Majesty is aware that the extent of the risk to be incurred is a matter requiring the most serious deliberation, and one on which your Lordship cannot come to an ultimate decision without the concurrence of your colleagues. He trusts they will be guided by the feeling which influences you, and also that they will bear in mind that there may be an interval of three weeks before it is necessary to act upon any decision taken, and that the steps which have been taken may produce something more defined and distinct. Judging from the reports hitherto made, the King considers the alarm occasioned by the cholera to be greater than its progress warrants, though this may not be a cause of regret, as it will naturally produce greater precautions. I have, &c. H. TAYLOR. No. 363. Sir H. Taylor to Earl Grey. (Private.) Brighton, Feb. 18, 1832. My dear Lord, I have submitted your Lordship's letter of yesterday to the King, who is extremely pleased that the communications he had ordered me to make to you on the 15th and 16th instant had proved so satisfactory. His Majesty has charged me to assure you again, that no person can be more sensible than he is of the difficulties with which you have to contend, or of the manly and honourable feeling with which you encounter them. He has been all along aware that your Lordship dislikes the thoughts of adding to the House of Lords, for the purpose of carrying the Reform Bill, as much as he does; and he is persuaded that |